BeatStorm is a collision between a video game and a movement performance. Motion capture devices track and project two players into a virtual world in real-time as they travel along a fast-moving path set to high-energy electronic dance music. In each level, players must dodge a barrage of obstacles and collect items by physically moving; there is a one-to-one correspondence of movement between the real and the virtual.
After each performance, BeatStorm becomes open to the audience to play levels of the game.
BeatStorm was primarily developed and directed by Chris Chua, with additional level design and performance direction from Nasim Patel.
BeatStorm was first created by Chris Chua for Submerge as part of Dancehouse’s Emerging Choreographers Program 2020.
Reviews:
★★★★½, Jill Sykes, Sydney Morning Herald
Performances:
11—12 March 2022: Dancehouse, Melbourne
11 – 13 August 2022: Riverside Theatres, Parramatta, as part of Dance Bites, presented by FORM Dance Projects and Riverside Theatres
19 November 2022: Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey, as part of the Burrinja in Motion festival
Nasim Patel 